CONTENTS

• STRUCTURE OF RHS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT – PAGE 2 - 3
• STUDENT ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES – PAGE 4 - 5
• HEAD COACH RESPONSIBILITIES – PAGE 6 - 7
• ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES – PAGE 8
• COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES – PAGE 9 – 10
• RHS AWARDS AND LETTERING POLICY – PAGE 11
• RHS ATTENDANCE POLICY – PAGE 11
• WM. COUNTY HANDBOOK POLICY ON DRUGS – PAGE 11
• TSSAA ATHLETE POLICIES – PAGE 12 - 20

RAVENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM

Ravenwood High School is a proud member of the Sixth Athletic District of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) and must abide by their rules and regulations. Any rule not covered by the Ravenwood Athletic Manual will revert back to the policies of the TSSAA.

RHS participates in 5A Football - Region 6. Members of Region 6 are:

Brentwood

Centennial

Clarksville Northeast

Columbia

Dickson County

Franklin

Independence

Ravenwood

RHS participates in Region 6 for Wrestling. Members of Region 6 are:

Brentwood

Centennial

CPA

David Lipscomb

Franklin

Franklin Road Academy

Hillsboro

Hillwood

Independence

Nashville Christian

Nashville Overton

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Ravenwood

RHS participates in all sports other than Football, Wrestling and Bowling in Class AAA, Region 6,

District 11. Members of District 11 are:

Brentwood

Centennial

Franklin

Hickman County

Hillsboro

Hillwood

Independence

Nashville Overton

Ravenwood

RHS participates in Region 5, District 11 for Bowling. Members of District 11 are:

Brentwood

Centennial

Fairview

Franklin

Hillwood

Independence

Nashville Christian

Nashville Overton

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Ravenwood

Ravenwood High School offers many sports at various levels throughout the school year. These sports include:

Fall:

Cross Country – Boys and Girls

Football – Varsity and JV

Golf – Boys and Girls

Girls Soccer – Varsity and JV

Volleyball

Winter:

Boys Basketball – Varsity, JV & Freshman

Girls Basketball – Varsity, JV & Freshman

Bowling – Boys and Girls

*Hockey – Varsity and JV

*Swimming – Boys and Girls

Wrestling – Varsity and JV

Spring:

Baseball – Varsity and JV

*Boys Lacrosse – Varsity and JV

*Girls Lacrosse – Varsity and JV

*Rugby – Boys and Girls

Softball – Varsity

Boys Tennis – Varsity and JV

Girls Tennis – Varsity and JV

Track – Boys and Girls

Cheerleaders and Dance are year-round sports.

* - Club Sport – not a member of the TSSAA

STUDENT ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Academics

• Complete all assignments
• Work hard in the classroom
• Maintain grades according to coach’s expectations per sport played
• Maintain T.S.S.A.A. academic requirements (See TSSAA attachment, Article 2)

2.   Attendance

• Attend all classes on time
• Be at all practices and games
• Be on time to all practices and games
• Be at school the day of the athletic event (See RHS Handbook for specific policy)

3. Attitude

• Use positive and correct attitude in the classroom, in the area of the athletic event and throughout the community
• Come prepared to do your best.  This includes academics and your behavior. Bring ALL of the correct equipment to practices or games, proper nutrition, proper sleep, taking care of any injuries or illness
• Put your team before yourself
• Come prepared to be part of a team
• Use your individual skills to be part of the team
• Respect school colors and traditions

4. Participation

• Have a yearly physical (not prior to May 1) on file with the Athletic Office before the season practices begin
• Emergency Medical Form on file with the coach of each participated sport
• $50 Athletic Fee paid before season begins. If athletic fee is paid by October 1, a student athletic pass will be issued at the time the athletic fee is paid. Athletic fees will not be refunded if the student quits or is suspended.
• ISS/Suspensions/ALC—Athletes may not participate while suspended from school in practice, athletic events or other related activities.
• All athletes must adhere to the rules and regulations in the student handbook that have been established by Ravenwood High School
• All athletes must adhere to the rules and regulations that have been set aside by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association and any rules and regulations established by Williamson County Schools
• All athletes must meet the guidelines and regulations established by the individual sport
• Participation in athletics is a privilege afforded students in attendance at their respective schools. Such participation and/or privilege may be limited, suspended or revoked at the discretion of the coach, athletic director or principal if the student’s behavior is unbecoming of a representative of that school

5.     Respectful Communication between Coach and Athlete

• Communicate any problems in school or outside of school with the coach
• Communicate any important doctor appointments with the coach well in advance
• If you don’t understand something, ask the coach for further clarification
• If you need help in a subject for school ask the coach

6.     Sportsmanship

• Act at all times as a representative of Ravenwood High School and the community
• Treat your teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, teachers, administration, parents, equipment, and any other aspects the athletic endeavors may include respectfully
• As a representative of Ravenwood High School we expect nothing less

"Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we."
~Phil Jackson~

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HEAD COACH'S RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Attendance Provide schedules of all practices and games Communicate any changes or cancellations in the schedule. One form must be verbal and the second can be any form of written, typed, or e-mail to parent, players and athletic director Check daily attendance report to confirm player’s eligibility for that day Be on time 2. Attitude · Coaches who teach at RHS will accept that they are classroom teachers and will never forget that it is their first responsibility · Come prepared for all practices and games · Encourage student-athletes to always do their best academically and athletically  · Apply all school and team rules to all athletes equally · Be professional in manner · Be professional in words · Be positive about your team · Produce a sense of pride through hard work · Promote and work in harmony with the entire interscholastic program at RHS · Repeated use of profane, foul, threatening and/or abusive language by a coach (employed or volunteer) is considered unacceptable behavior. Repeated use of such language by a coach directed toward a student athlete will result in disciplinary action by the Athletic Director and/or Principal · Use or possession of tobacco, drugs or alcohol products by a coach during a school function will result in disciplinary action from the Athletic Director and/or Principal · Coaches, both paid and volunteer, must follow all rules and regulations, both local and state, which apply to any teacher while supervising students or athletic teams 3. Communication Philosophy as a coach Expectations of the team Expectations of student-athletes academically Expectations of student-athletes behavior on and off the field of competition Expectations of parent involvement If team cuts are made and rosters are posted, be available to discuss rosters with students if they have questions Location of all practices, games, matches, and all other team activities Get approval at least two days in advance by the principal for any athletic event that requires early dismissal Communicate this early dismissal 24 hours in advance by email school-wide for attendance purposes Communicate all team rules and disciplinary procedures to athletes and parents clearly Hold a pre-season parent meeting Communicate to each individual student-athlete their skills, role, position on the team Return parent phone calls, emails or other correspondence in a timely manner Supply schedules and changes to the schedule to the webmaster for the RHS Athletic webpage Communicate regularly with the Athletic Director about the status of his/her athletic program 4. Safety Have the athletes Emergency Medical Treatment forms on hand at all times Check the area of play and the surrounding area for safety Report areas that are of concern for safety to Athletic Director Check that all athletes are using all equipment necessary for sport Fill out all proper forms if an injury occurs 5. Sportsmanship Act at all times as a representative of Ravenwood High School Be a positive example for all student-athletes.  Show respect and act in a positive manner in regards to all students-athletes, parents, coaches, staff from any school, and officials at all times Emphasize the proper ideals of fair play 6. Education Be aware of all rules and regulations that govern them and their sport and instruct all of their athletes prior to the beginning of play and during the coaching experience of such rules and regulations Attend required TSSAA coaches meetings Attend clinics Years from now, it won't matter whether an athlete could field a ball, catch a line drive, or swim the fastest.  But the life-long values instilled in them through sports can make winners today and tomorrow.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 1.     Organization Serve as ticket manager for all home athletic events Oversee distribution of athletic passes Handle season and playoff tickets Organize all athletic events and schedules and facilities Oversee transportation to away events 2.     Administrative · Supervise the day-to-day operation of the athletic department · Attend regular meetings with the principal · Administer all inter-scholastic policies and procedures according to the regulations of the TSSAA , WCS and RHS policies  · Attend TSSAA meetings as required · Communicate with new coaches concerning TSSAA coaches meetings and educational classes · Oversee the procedure for athletic eligibility, athletic physicals, athletic fees and insurance · Initiates supplemental pay requests to central office for all coaches at the end of their season after all uniforms are collected and evaluations completed · Attend monthly RAC meetings · Promote and work in harmony with the entire interscholastic program at RHS 3.     Budgets/Purchasing Prepares preliminary annual budget for the athletic department Approves and signs all purchase orders for budgeted items Responsible for the recommendations for the improvement of all athletic facilities Provides a budget to the RAC that includes items that the school budget cannot provide Coordinates the ordering of all athletic pins and letters 4.     Staff Evaluations Evaluates new candidates for coaching positions Makes recommendations of new coaching assignments to principal Responsible for yearly evaluations of all coaches Coordinates seasonal coaches meetings and other meetings as needed 5.   Public Relations Responsible for outside communication between the media and the school for all athletic events

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES In today's world both parenting and coaching are extremely challenging. Providing communication guidelines will provide a helpful and healthy environment for everyone.  These guidelines will allow our athletes to reach their potential and allow them to enjoy their athletic experience at Ravenwood High School. COMMUNICATION PARENTS/GUARDIANS & ATHLETES CAN EXPECT FROM THE COACH Philosophy of coach Expectations of both individual student-athlete and team (including: academics and behavior on and off the field of competition) Location and times of all practices and games Arrange team transportation in advance Team rules & TSSAA rules Student-Athletes role on the team and as a positive student leader Positive and negative feedback to both student-athletes and team Return parent phone calls in a timely manner COMMUNICATON THAT COACHES CAN EXPECT FROM PARENTS/GUARDIANS & ATHLETES Concerns expressed directly to coaches Specific questions about philosophy or expectations Notification of any injuries or illness Notification of any absences prior to practices or contest Not attempting to discuss a player with the coach before or after a contest Attempting to help with transportation to and from practices or games APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES Any treatment of your child (mentally or physically) Ways to help your child improve Concerns about your child's behavior Concerns about your child's academics INAPPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES Playing time Team strategy Play calling Another student-athlete PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF A PARENT/GUARDIAN HAS A CONCERN WITH THE COACH It can be very difficult to accept when your athlete is not playing as much as you may hope.  Coaches make decisions based on what they believe to be in the best interest of the team.  The coach must take into account all members of the team, not just one individual.  As noted in the list under communication guidelines, certain concerns should be discussed with the coach.  Other decisions like the examples on the list of Inappropriate Concerns must be left to the discretion of the coach. If you have a concern to discuss with the coach, please follow this procedure: Call or e-mail the coach at school and set up an appointment. Ravenwood High School telephone number is 615-472-4800.  Ask for the coach by name.  If the coach is JV or freshman coach and is not a Ravenwood staff member, leave a message with the Varsity coach.  If the Varsity coach is not a staff member leave a message with the Athletic Department (ext 4808).  E-mail addresses are available on website.  Please do not attempt to discuss issues with a coach before or after a contest.  This can be an emotional time for both the parent and the coach.  Discussions of this nature usually do not promote positive resolutions. If a satisfactory resolution between parent and coach does not take place after the initial communications, continue to step three: Contact the Athletic Director, Jennifer Knotts, at ext. 4808, or jenniferk@wcs.edu The Athletic Director will set up a meeting with the parent, athlete, and coach. Formal complaints must be in writing and received in the AD office 3 business days before the scheduled meeting. The Athletic Director will attempt to mediate a resolution and will take the appropriate next step if the problem isn’t resolved. It is the intention to do the best in resolving any situations between athletes, parents, and coaches.  In order for this to happen all of the parties involved must be willing to work together to find the best possible solution. Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. The relationship between the soundness of the body and the activities of the mind is subtle and complex. Much is not yet understood. But we do know what the Greeks knew: that intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong. JFK

RHS AWARDS AND LETTERING POLICY

Athletes have the opportunity to earn a letter in their sport. Coaches may consider number of practices attended or missed, number of games participated in, player attitude toward hard work and team play, and adherence to team and school rules in determining if a letter is earned. The criteria for earning a letter are established by the coach with the approval of the athletic director. The criteria for the letter must be in writing and it is the coach’s responsibility to communicate these criteria to his/her team and to the parents.

• Varsity Letters and Sport Emblems are awarded the first time an athlete earns a varsity letter.
• A Sports Emblem is awarded for every sport lettered in and a service bar pin is awarded for each additional year the athlete letters.
• Certificates of participation are awarded to each varsity, JV, and freshman participant who completes a season in good standing.
• Only students who have paid their athletic fees can receive awards.
• Any student who loses their eligibility due to grades forfeits their rights to awards that he/she would otherwise be entitled to receive.
• Any student who quits the team or is removed from the team by a coach, AD, or the administration at any time during the season will forfeit any letters or awards that he/she would otherwise be entitled to receive.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES-RAVENWOOD HANDBOOK

Athletic or Extracurricular Activities

Students who are ill and unable to attend school on the day of an athletic or extracurricular activity will not be permitted to participate on that date.  Students involved in extracurricular and athletic activities are expected to arrive at school on time and remain in school for the entire day.  Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by an administrator.  The policy shall be whatever percent of the day a student misses; he/she will not participate in that same percent of time in the extracurricular/athletic activity.  Any student missing four or more periods will not be allowed to participate in that days’ activity.

Williamson County Student Handbook

THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE DESIRES THAT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FREE OF DRUGS, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, VIOLENCE AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS AND THAT SWIFT, CERTAIN AND SEVERE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED ON ANY STUDENT WHO BRINGS A DRUG, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OR A DANGEROUS WEAPON ONTO A SCHOOL BUS, ONTO SCHOOL PROPERTY OR TO ANY SCHOOL EVENT OR ACTIVITY, OR WHO, WHILE ON A SCHOOL BUS, ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR WHILE ATTENDING ANY SCHOOL EVENT OR ACTIVITY IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A DRUG, OR POSSESSES A DRUG, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OR DANGEROUS WEAPON, OR ASSAULTS OR THREATENS TO ASSAULT A TEACHER, STUDENT OR OTHER PERSON. PLEASE REVIEW THIS HANDBOOK, AND OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, CAREFULLY TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND ANY SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

2006-07 TSSAA Handbook

TENNESSEE SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Article II

Eligibility

Enrollment and Attendance

Section 1. To be eligible, students shall be regularly enrolled, in regular attendance, and carrying at least five full courses or the equivalent. A student is eligible to participate in football, volleyball, cross country, golf, and girls’ soccer prior to the beginning of school if the student is enrolled at the school and meets all other eligibility requirements.

A student shall not participate in athletics during any semester unless he/she is duly enrolled on or before the 20th day of the semester. This rule shall not apply to transfer students who have met the attendance requirements in the school last attended.

Academic Rules

Section 2. To be eligible to participate in athletic contests during any school year, the student must earn five credits the preceding school year if less than 24 credits are required for graduation or six credits the preceding school year if 24 or more credits are required for graduation. All credits must be earned by the first day of the beginning of the school year. Academic eligibility for a student is based on the requirements of the school the student was attending at the conclusion of the previous school year.

Students who are ineligible the first semester may gain eligibility the second semester by passing five subjects (1/2 credit) or three blocks (one credit per block) or the equivalent.

If a student is forced to withdraw from school, or is prevented from enrolling in school, due to the student's illness, his/her accident, or his/her disability, the principal may request a ruling in regard to the student's eligibility, provided the student was eligible at the time the illness or accident forced the student to withdraw or prevented the student from enrolling in school. If ruled eligible, such a student shall be charged with a semester of attendance for athletic purposes for the semester of non-attendance or withdrawal.

A student who returns to a member school after attendance at a school of correction or alternative school may be eligible for athletic participation provided the school of correction or alternative school is accredited by the Tennessee State Department of Education and provided the student returns to the school attended before entering the school of correction or alternative school.

Section 3. For athletic purposes the scholastic record filed in the office of the principal or superintendent at the end of a semester shall be final. Credits earned in a summer school accredited by the State Department of Education shall be recognized for eligibility purposes provided the student was enrolled during the spring semester immediately preceding the summer session and attended at least 40 days of that spring semester.

Section 4. A student who drops out of school before the end of the semester shall be ineligible to participate in secondary school athletics until the student has been in school a semester and has passed in at least five full unit subjects or the equivalent. (To become eligible under this regulation, a student must attend school for at least 40 days of the semester, but in no case shall the eligibility become effective until the beginning of the succeeding semester.)

High School Graduate

Section 5. No student shall be eligible to participate in athletics after he/she has graduated from a secondary school. (A student who takes an accelerated course shall not lose his/her eligibility even though that student earns enough units to graduate provided he/she does not participate in a graduating exercise or accept a high school diploma, and provided the student has not attended a secondary school for eight semesters after enrolling in the ninth grade.)

Eight-Semester Rule

Section 6. A student, once enrolled in the 9th grade, has eight (8) semesters of athletic eligibility. Attendance of 40 school days of any semester shall be regarded as a "semester" under this rule. If a student participates in athletics during a period of attendance of any number of days less than 40, he/she shall be charged with a semester of attendance.

A student who registers for two or more ninth grade subjects after having completed one school year in the eighth grade shall be classified as a high school student for athletic purposes.

The seventh and eighth semesters of athletic eligibility shall be consecutive.

REPEATING RULE

Section 7. Any student repeating the seventh grade after having passed the seventh grade or repeating the eighth grade after passing the eighth grade shall not be eligible to participate in athletics during their ninth-grade year.

Eighth Grade Participation

Section 8. An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at the school. Students below the eighth grade are not eligible. Any student repeating the eighth grade shall not be eligible for high school participation during the year that the student is repeating the eighth grade.

Participation as an eighth grader shall not reduce the number of semesters a student is allowed to participate after enrolling in the ninth grade.

Age Limit

Section 9. No student shall be eligible to participate in any athletic contest during any school year if he/she becomes 19 years of age on or before August 1. The age rule may be waived for the Tennessee School for the Blind when this school is competing with other schools for the blind provided such schools are permitted by their state associations to waive the age rule in competing with other schools for the blind.

Physical Examination and Parental Consent

Section 10. It is required that no student be permitted to participate in practice sessions or in athletic contests until there is on file with the principal a preparticipation medical evaluation form signed by a doctor of medicine, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner stating that the student has passed a physical examination, not prior to May 1, and that in their opinion the student is physically fit to participate in interscholastic athletics.

No student shall be required to submit to a physical exam if his/her parent(s) or legal guardian shall file with the principal a signed, written statement (affirmed under the penalties of perjury) declining such physical examination on grounds of sincerely held beliefs or practices.

It is required that no student be permitted to participate in practice sessions or in athletic contests until there is on file a parental consent certificate signed by a parent or legal guardian stating that the student has the consent of his/her parent(s) or legal guardian to participate

Students Changing Schools

Section 11. General Provisions.

Residence. A student changing schools for any reason, to be eligible, must live at home with his/her parent(s) or guardian(s), unless:

(a) the student is moving to a boarding school and has no athletic record the previous twelve months in any sport;

(b) the student is moving as a direct result of the dissolution of the student's home due to death;

(c) the student is moving as a direct result of the divorce of the student's parents; or

(d) the student is moving as a direct result of the separation of the student's parents, provided a complaint or petition for absolute divorce has been filed with a court having jurisdiction to grant the divorce.

"Transfer Student" Defined. A transfer student is any student changing schools for any reason other than having completed the highest, or terminal, grade at another school. A student who must change schools because he/she has completed the highest grade at his/her previous school is not considered a transfer student and is eligible to participate in athletics at any school he/she attends, without further approval, provided he/she satisfies the residence requirement above.

Executive Director Approval Required. A school may not allow a transfer student to participate in athletics until his/her eligibility has been verified and approved by the Executive Director. The school is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied to the Executive Director for this purpose.

Participation While Ineligible. If a student who is ineligible, under these provisions regarding students changing schools, competes in a contest while ineligible, then the student upon becoming eligible under these provisions will nonetheless be ineligible to participate in twice the number of contests in which he/she participated as an ineligible student or will be ineligible for the remainder of the season, whichever is less.

Section 12. Eligible Transfer Students.